At April’s AERO Friedrichshafen Tecnam introduced improvements to several of its current models.

The P2002 Sierra MkII (pictured right) has a new turbocharged and intercooled 135hp Rotax 915 iS/ISC engine which maintains takeoff power up to ‘at least’ 15,000ft, while the aircraft’s service ceiling has been increased to 23,000ft.

Other improvements to the MkII, which will be available in the LSA category for customer delivery from late 2017, include: a larger cabin with new ‘premium’ interior design; redesigned canopy with more headroom and a new locking mechanism that reduces noise levels; seats with extra fore-and-aft adjustment; state of art avionics; and several options for exterior paint colours and interior fabrics.

PIL Notes

There is also a new MkII version of the P Twenty Ten (below left). The company says it has responded to current and prospective owners by developing a more powerful version with a 215hp Lycoming IO-390 engine equipped with a VP prop, tuned induction system, roller tappets and ‘Slick Start’ ignition.

Also new on the MkII is an optional G1000 Nxi Next Generation flight deck featuring wireless cockpit connectivity and ‘processing power that supports even faster map rendering and smoother panning throughout the displays’. Tecnam is also including provision for ADS-B OUT as standard on all P Twenty Tens.

The P Twenty Ten MkII will be available from September 2017. The G1000 Nxi avionics installation is also an option on a new upgraded MkII version of the P2006T twin (pictured left).

On 28 November Textron Aviation confirmed long circulating rumours that it was developing a new ‘clean sheet’ twin-turboprop utility aircraft, now revealed as the Cessna SkyCourier 408, with FedEx Express as launch customer

The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on GA announced in early December that it now enjoyed the support of a record 85 Parliamentarians, making it one of the biggest APPGs in the current parliament and further strengthening the voice of GA

Commercial pilots can now apply for a licence online, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced. The new service is part of the CAA’s plans to update the personnel licensing system for the UK aviation industry, with private licence applications following next year

The UK Civil Aviation Authority has announced the appointment of Richard Moriarty as its new Chief Executive. Richard was appointed following ‘a rigorous selection process including a significant number of excellent candidates’. He will succeed Andrew Haines, whose term of office is due to expire in the Summer of 2018